
If you are not working in an ovenproof braiser or Dutch oven, transfer the sauce and noodles to a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been greased with cooking spray. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, mustard powder to the sauce, stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thickened.

Stir in all but 1 ½ cups of the cheese (reserve that for the topping). The slower you add the milk the quicker the sauce will thicken. If your milk is very cold straight out of the fridge take this step very slowly. Stir until a thick paste is formed, about 1-2 minutes. In a large braiser, or any large ovenproof pot set over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup of the butter until it is beginning to bubble. Heat oven to 400° F with a rack placed in the middle of the oven.Ĭook the pasta according to the package directions until it is 1 minute shy of “al dente”.

Make a two-ingredient roux! Butter and flour is all you’ll need for this step to make a simple roux-aka, the base of your homemade cheesy cream sauce.The pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so this keeps it from becoming mushy. Cook your pasta just one minute shy of al dente.Preheat your oven and place the rack in the center-this rack placement ensures an even, golden brown crust on top of your creamy mac and cheese!.(The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.Homemade macaroni and cheese is seriously simple to make! With the help of pre-shredded cheese, it truly is a straightforward process that ends with a gloriously creamy pan of mac and cheese that you (and everyone you serve it to) will love! Here’s how it’s done: Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes.(The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.) Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer.Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.

Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
